Fiji Petrel
Encyclopedia
The Fiji Petrel also known as MacGillivray's Petrel, is a small, dark gadfly petrel
.
The Fiji Petrel was originally known from one immature specimen found in 1855 on Gau Island
, Fiji
by naturalist John MacGillivray
on board 'HMS Herald' who took the carcass to the British Museum
in London
. It was rediscovered in 1983, since when there have been a further seven records, which included the capture and photographing of one adult in April 1984. This species is classified as critically endangered as it is inferred from the number of records that there is a tiny population confined to a small breeding area.
This bird is described as being 30cm tall dark with chocolate-coloured feathers, a dark eye and bill and pale blue foot patches. It may be seen in waters around Gau Island but is believed to disperse to pelagic waters far from the island.
The rarity and significance of this species is known to local residents of Gau and it is featured on a Fijian bank note, as well as featuring in the logo for now-defunct Air Fiji
. It is protected under Fijian law. In 1989, research on the ridge around possible nesting areas was terminated since it was felt that such activities, without complementary conservation action, could encourage cats to follow paths into the area.
In August 2007, a recent skin of an injured Fiji Petrel, that subsequently died was made available for study in Fiji.
In May 2009, the first photographs of the bird at sea were taken approximately 25 nautical miles (46.3 km) south of Gau Island.
Gadfly petrel
The gadfly petrels are seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes. These medium to large petrels feed on food items picked from the ocean surface....
.
The Fiji Petrel was originally known from one immature specimen found in 1855 on Gau Island
Gau Island
Gau is an island belonging to Fiji's Lomaiviti Archipelago. Located at 18.00° S and 179.30 °E, it covers an area of 136.1 square kilometers, with a total shoreline of 66.3 kilometers, making it the 5th largest island in the Fijian archipelago. Its maximum altitude is 738 meters...
, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
by naturalist John MacGillivray
John MacGillivray
John MacGillivray was a Scottish-naturalist, active in Australia between 1842 and 1867.MacGillivray was born in Aberdeen, the son of ornithologist William MacGillivray. He took part in three of the Royal Navy's surveying voyages in the Pacific...
on board 'HMS Herald' who took the carcass to the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was rediscovered in 1983, since when there have been a further seven records, which included the capture and photographing of one adult in April 1984. This species is classified as critically endangered as it is inferred from the number of records that there is a tiny population confined to a small breeding area.
This bird is described as being 30cm tall dark with chocolate-coloured feathers, a dark eye and bill and pale blue foot patches. It may be seen in waters around Gau Island but is believed to disperse to pelagic waters far from the island.
The rarity and significance of this species is known to local residents of Gau and it is featured on a Fijian bank note, as well as featuring in the logo for now-defunct Air Fiji
Air Fiji
Air Fiji was an airline based in Nausori, Fiji. It operated inter-island services to destinations within the Fijian Islands. Its main base was Nausori International Airport, Suva, with a base at Nadi International Airport....
. It is protected under Fijian law. In 1989, research on the ridge around possible nesting areas was terminated since it was felt that such activities, without complementary conservation action, could encourage cats to follow paths into the area.
In August 2007, a recent skin of an injured Fiji Petrel, that subsequently died was made available for study in Fiji.
In May 2009, the first photographs of the bird at sea were taken approximately 25 nautical miles (46.3 km) south of Gau Island.